With lengthy periods on the sideline due to injury, Carl Jenkinson has found it hard to break back into the first team at Arsenal. With the emergence of the speedy Spanish youngster, Hector Bellerin, it seems as though the 24-year-old right back has fallen down in the pecking order. Even when Bellerin was out injured, Gabriel, who is usually employed as a central defender, was selected ahead of Jenkinson. As a result, Jenkinson has been looking for a way out of Arsenal during the current January transfer window.
Why Jenkinson's move to Crystal Palace collapsed
The English right back was looking to reunite with his former manager Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace. The pair previously worked together at West Ham United. Jenkinson had already been in negotiations with the football club and Arsenal were willing to let him leave. According to Arsene Wenger, Jenkinson was very much on the verge of signing for Palace; the only thing left for him to do was agree to personal terms. However, Jenkinson failed to do so after finding out that Palace's new signing, Jeffrey Schlupp, was to earn more than him. The 24-year old Schlupp, who moved during this transfer window from current Premier League title holders Leicester City, was to earn £56,000 a week.
Jenkinson on the contrary, was offered a contract worth £35,000 a week. Other than the wage demands, Jenkinson was supposedly happy with the terms.
Jenkinson to remain at Arsenal
After failing to agree to the terms, it seems as though Jenkinson will be staying at Arsenal along with fellow right back Mathieu Debuchy. The 31-year old French right back, who previously played for Newcastle United, has similarly fallen out of favor at the North London club.
Unlike Jenkinson, however, Debuchy's relationship with his countryman and manager, Arsene Wenger, has deteriorated over time. Debuchy publicly criticized Wenger for not letting him move to Manchester United during last year's transfer window. Now, Arsenal are having a hard time finding suitors for either Debuchy or Jenkinson, with the two seemingly destined to stay until the end of this season.
